Emilia's Generosity
"The Water Gate City..."
Somewhere in Lugunica, Kiritaka suddenly turned pale, his body swaying slightly in panic.
-
-
-
「After Joshua's issues were resolved, they actually lingered for a while. It wasn't that he wanted to stay, but rather that Mimi was running around with boundless energy, dragging Garfiel along with great enthusiasm.」
「This was the first time Mimi and Garfiel had met; nevertheless, it was as if Mimi had already set her sights on him. Not only did she lack any wariness toward Garfiel, but she also appeared very close to him.」
「Garfiel was completely at a loss under Mimi's offensive. When Mimi and Joshua finally left, he let out an obvious sigh of relief.」
「Then: Emilia, Hikigaya Hachiman, and Garfiel. This was the list of people decided upon to head to the Water Gate City after their discussions.」
「Because both Hachiman and Emilia were leaving, there were remaining government affairs and the daily operations of the territory to consider. Hachiman didn't feel comfortable leaving them to Roswaal. Furthermore, since Otto's intellect was not inferior to his own—or rather, out of trust in Otto's abilities—Hachiman had Otto stay behind.」
「Driving the ground dragon and sitting in the carriage, as they approached the Water Gate City, the others were filled only with curiosity and excitement. Only Hachiman occasionally wore a distressed expression, tossing and turning, unable to stop himself from sighing even while trying to sleep, as if some particularly troublesome burden was weighing on his heart.」
「"What's wrong?"」
「Emilia tilted her head, cutely trying to offer him some psychological therapy. "Ever since you heard we were meeting Miss Anastasia, Hachiman has been acting so strange. Could it be that you secretly have some entanglement with her? Do you hate her?"」
「"If you're really unwilling, Hachiman can go back. It's okay!" She let her head droop listlessly, blaming herself for not noticing the situation sooner. "As for that intelligence, I'll work hard to persuade Miss Anastasia to give it to me!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.」
「"That won't be necessary... Actually, even if I didn't go to the Water Gate City, Anastasia would surely send those things to you to hand over to me. That's just the kind of person she is. Though she's greedy, profit isn't the only thing in her eyes... This time, I'm actually coming of my own volition."」
「He sighed, pressing his temples with some anxiety. "I also know that it's impossible for me to never meet them again for the rest of my life. That day was bound to come... Let's treat this as a starting point. I hope I can face them properly."」
「"Hmm..."」
「Emilia was somewhat bewildered by the latter half of his sentence and didn't quite understand. She blinked, looking a bit surprised. "I always feel like Hachiman seems very familiar with Miss Anastasia, even though you haven't seen each other for a year. It's ve~ry strange—but, since you don't hate her and won't fight, then I'm relieved."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman turned his head away, feeling a bit awkward... Emilia completely failed to understand why he looked so guilty.」
.
.
.
"Exactly, that's it! Luring the man over—as expected of me, I really am crafty."
In the Hoshin Trading Company, Anastasia's eyes curved with satisfaction. She offered heartfelt praise: "I also have to thank Emilia for her generosity."
"Ohhh! As expected of the Young Lady!"
Mimi was jumping up and down, cheering. This time it wasn't just the Young Lady's Prime Minister; her Garf was coming too.
The upright Julius stood stiffly to the side, feeling a slight bit of pity and shame... But thinking that this was a case of mutual affection, he hardened his heart and abandoned his pity for the ignorant Lady Emilia, nodding with his whole heart to support Lady Anastasia.
"—Pfft."
On the main road to the Royal Capital, Rem and Ram looked at each other, both unable to suppress a slight urge to laugh.
Although they wanted to verbally denounce Anastasia, for some reason, seeing Emilia pushing Hachiman toward Anastasia made them feel... how should they put it...
"So delightful!"
In Advanced Nurturing High School, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka clapped his hands cheerfully. He didn't care one way or the other about Anastasia or Emilia, but the thought of them fighting over Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly gave him a "feeling."
"This is yet another new emotion... You truly are my rival, my blessing, the person most worthy of my recognition, Hikigaya Hachiman."
At the same time, on the streets of the Royal Capital, Emilia—who should have been the most annoyed and disappointed by her own lack of progress—didn't even have time for self-pity. She gripped Puck tightly, trying desperately to soothe him. "Puck, Puck, calm down!"
In her palm, Puck's eyes were already blood-red, his fur standing up with an aura of intimidation as he bared a savage, cold sneer.
"Others can live, but Anastasia must die! At a time like this, we must be decisive and strike hard, Lia!"
His daughter couldn't see it, but he could. A person like Anastasia might be fine if there was no "spark," but once there was, she became the most terrifying love rival imaginable, one that couldn't be stopped.
And that spark had already been provided by Echidna.
"—Echidna, you bastard, aaaaaargh!!"
-
-
-
「The Water Gate City was a city built on water, featuring four floodgates that provided majestic and shocking views. The city's scenery was also unique, with many Japanese-style buildings... Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't particularly surprised. Ever since he learned from Priscilla that Al was also a "traveler," he knew he wasn't the only one in this world.」
「These Japanese buildings were brought here four hundred years ago by the legendary merchant, Hoshin of the Wasteland. At this point, there was no point in investigating it; that fellow countryman had been dead for four centuries anyway.」
「Rather than that, Hachiman cared more about those four floodgates that could easily let river water backflow and completely submerge the city if opened.」
「If someone wanted to conquer the Water Gate City, they would only need to take the four key floodgate points and release the floods. He really wondered what the people in this city were thinking, leaving such a fatal weakness exposed.」
「"Thinking about it really makes one feel insecure..."」
「Quite displeased by his distraction, Betty squeezed the hand she was holding, eager to vie for his attention. "Mu! You're spacing out even though you have such a cute spirit like Betty?!"」
「"That... that's just my pessimistic worldview activating unconsciously again. It's hard to control. But the fact that Beatrice wants to attract my attention is very cute. You're not inferior to Komachi at all—I give you a full one hundred points!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman smiled and stroked Betty's hair, using Komachi's manner of speaking to praise her. This wasn't purely out of memory for Komachi; he mainly felt that Beatrice wouldn't hate such a cute way of talking.」
「After all, both Komachi and Beatrice were his adorable sisters!」
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting